Anyone teaching geography at KS1?
I cover for PPA time and next week I'm teaching geography - I've planned my lesson and I'm using Google Earth via the Whiteboard.

If you've never tried it ITS FANTASTIC! (Download it free - just type in google earth and click on the link)

I've zoomed in to our school and placemarked it (just click on the pin on the bottom right of the screen) along with other significant points of interest in the surrounding area.

I know the children will be fascinated at the way start off with the view of Earth from outer space (imagine we are in a spaceship...) and then
zoom in to school (fly over our school in a helicopter!)

We will then follow a route to our nearest cinema. (flying in a helicopter of course!)

Just thought I would share my lesson plan for tomorrow!
Have a look at google earth and you will be fascinated too.

thanks missteach for that i will have a look

Not used it at school - but have it on my computer here at home.

It is quite amazing isn't it? Some areas are better than others with regards to how much detail they show.

We (me and Mr H) zoomed into our street/house and could spot a neighbour about to get into his car!! (well a dot near a blob, but we could tell who/what it was!)

Yes it is great at home, some of the major cities are in 3-D - fantastic, that's why I thought of using it at school.
Imagine the children seeing that technology via the whiteboard.
Although, as with all ICT based resouorces, you have to have a back up!
Mine's a boring old atlas and maps!
I'll let you know how I get on.

Sounds great, think I will look at it for my son at home...
thanks

Hi,
The geography lesson went really well today!
Children all engaged in lesson, they were amazed at zooming in from 'space' and finding their school. Lots of eager questions and answers - great!
Got the children to draw their own map of their journey from school to the cinema, putting in any large landmarks on the way (buildings and a bridge for example).
Next time though, I will put out prepared word cards so the children can label their buildings independently.
Some great and unexpected input/maps from certain lower achievers.

well done Miss Teach, i bet they will be talking about the lesson for ages!

brilliant idea!

Thanks dq!
We aim to please!
Even the teachers were impressed!

used google earth to look at africa, we had a look at the sphynx and the rift valley. the kids liked it alot. they thought we would be able to see the lions and rhinos walking about! maybe in a couple of years time the technology will be in place for that to be possible. it was cool though, thanks for the idea.